The Squid and the Whale (2005)

The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Laura Linney - Joan Berkman
Jeff Daniels - Bernard Berkman
William Baldwin - Ivan


Set in the 1980’s, The Squid and the Whale revolves around a Brooklyn intellectual family, The Berkman’s. While the title of the film seems vague, I found myself in awe of the script and the superb acting performances..Bernard Berkman (Jeff Daniels) is an intellectual middle aged father whose emotional reliance on his children can be seen as detrimental. (Laura Linney) Joan Berkman is a highly promiscuous unfulfilled writer, and is uncomfortably honest with her children about her affairs and finally decides to leave her husband.

Many indications of the marriage’s flaws are displayed with the opening scenes of the family’s tennis game, with the parents arguing and competing throughout the scenes. The scenes depict realities when dealing with divorce and the influences it has on children. Darkly humorous, I found myself laughing in awkward scenes, or hearing the child cuss so freely, broke the dramatic tension of scenes:

Bernard Berkman: Hey - Watch it!
Frank Berkman: Suck my dick, ass man...

This film is provocative in the sense it discusses sex, and relationships to children, with the consequences being: underage drinking, sexual identity issues and an unhealthy approach when dealing in relations with the opposite sex. Conversations between Daniels and the children were so confronting because the children are treated as adults and more like friends then parents.

Most Memorable Scene:
Frank is found out at school and his parents are called up to discuss his ‘problem’:

Bernard Berkman: How do you know they were both Frank's?
Ms. Lemon: Well, I suppose it's possible other kids are masturbating and spreading their semen around the school as well... It's possible, but, uh, somewhat unlikely.
Bernard Berkman: Oh, it happens, I'm sure, much more than we know.
Joan Berkman: Bernard, have you ever done anything like this?
Bernard Berkman: I'm not going to answer that.

A completely ‘dense’ and intelligently written, its dramatic content being realistic and isn’t full of itself. No matter its uncomfortable topic, it’s well explored in this movie.

Little Children (2006)

Little Children (2006)

Kate Winslet as Sarah Pierce
Patrick Wilson as Brad Adamson
Jennifer Connelly as Kathy Adamson
108mins

The scene adaption of Tom Perotta’s novel ‘little children’ contains a highly talented cast with the photographic finesse of equally talented director Tom Field’s to be the visual storyteller to audiences.

The aspect of family is important in this neighborhood, whilst (Winslet) Sarah plays a unsatisfied unappreciated housewife, non conformist from the other step ford-like wives in her Boston neighborhood. Catching her husband, masturbating to his online dream girl, Sarah decides to start getting the affections of Brad (Wilson), a clearly emasculated young father, continuously failing to pass the bar in law school. The two are drawn to continue the affair for different needs, Brads need for independence and male acceptance, and Sarah’s need for attention and love.

Most of the film involves a narration of events and descriptions of things the audience should know.
The voice of the narrator influences the viewer to believe some sort of character analysis is occurring, and involves the viewer into the lives of the characters. The cinematography is a scarily accurate depiction of American suburbia, with soccer moms and affluent parents looking after their children.

The direction was clever and varied from each subject that was focused, either the sport scenes, the sex scenes were sure to make the appearance of total nudity, and not partial. The scenes with the children are innocent but safe. Only when the director takes the viewers into the pool scene with the pedophile, does this panic rise.

The editing is clean, with some scenes being total walk through with only one take, and makes the experience feel so much more realistic.

Most memorable scene:
Ronnie breaking the collection of figurines, and eventually castrated himself.

I felt conflicted in whom to sympathize with in this film, the villains and heroes aren’t clear cut, whether this is deliberate or not I don’t know. The relationship of the pedophile Ronnie with his mother raised some questions about the way Ronnie was raised as being a ‘good boy’ and his guilt could’ve manifested itself in an obsession. This film shows that each person makes mistakes, whether their children are involved or not. The scenes which were brilliantly lighted in the playground at night, which made a great point about where each of the characters mindset, and situation was headed. The playground at night could mean dangerous territory. There are many observations to be made in this great masterpiece of a film.

May McGorvey: You're a miracle, Ronnie. We're all miracles. Know why? Because as humans, every day we go about our business, and all that time we know... we all know... that the things we love... the people we love, at any time now can all be taken away. We live knowing that and we keep going anyway. Animals don't do that.

There are many observations and interpretations to be made in such a rich display of suburbia.

The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

Based on a short story from the mind of horror fiction genius Clive Barker, Leon is a photographer with a plan to get the perfect shot to land him a great gallery opening. His photos are deemed 'too safe, so he decides to venture into the subways to capture the true essence of the city with his camera. Bad idea.



Much praise to Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura. His vision is confronting,cold and systematic. Theres an artistic quality in each frame, and scene could be taken as amazing photos, its ironic the protagonist is a photographer looking for the perfect image. The setting of most the film lies in the train, with much of the aesthetic uneasiness is revealed. The seats are a cheap metallic, appearing unsafe and slippery.








Two types of camera lighting and style differentiate the different worlds. Leon's life with his wife which uses a warmer tone of lighting, with the scenes revealing the killings in the subway are harsh,medicinal, and morgue-sque. Some viewers may become disturbed with the amount of blood and gore. The butcher named Mahogany (Vinnie Jones) stars as the killer who dresses in a suit and barely utters a word in the entire film.





His personality and character isn't fully explored creating an uneasiness to the viewer, so theres many questions being unanswered until the end of the film. By the closing scene, the whole perception of the film has to be re-evaluated, as the complete truth is revealed. Its sadistic, which appeals to 'Hostel' and 'Saw' fans, whilst leaving the viewer completely dubious like the film 'The Mist" until the very end.

Reclaim Your Brain [Free Rainer] (2007)

Reclaim Your Brain [Free Rainer] (2007)


Director: Hans Weingartner
Cast: Moritz Bleibtreu,Elsa Schulz Gambard

The protagonist Rainer is introduced as a coke addicted egotistical maniac, whom seems to have a fascination with the tallying system of television ratings. Where one house is monitored and is counted an estimated 1,500 homes, there is a suspected miscalculation in what audiences might be primarily watching.

Rainer revolts from the superficial and ignorant bliss achieved as producer and results to quitting his job, and enlists the help of his former colleagues granddaughter Pegah, to try to figure out a way to gain the majority of the set top boxes in order to greatly affect what television shows are seen as popular and control the ratings.

I applaud the topic of reality TV as dreadful mindless propaganda,that is a tool for entertainment but is a tool of deflection. Conspiracies are mentioned in the film with references to the book 'Brave New World' and The Freemasons.

An unnecessary amount of scenes are preoccupied with subplots with the group of oddball characters helping with their plan. Whilst the most enjoyable nuggets of the film relied on the impact of television viewing and the adverse reactions on everyday leisure (resorting to reading books for entertainment).

Eraserhead (1977)

Eraserhead (1977)

Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed by: David Lynch
Cast:Allen Joseph, Charlotte Stewart, Jack Nance


David Lynch's gem of a film revolves around an industrialized environment where the lead Henry Spencer visits his girlfriends house. Its revealed that she gave birth to their mutated baby, later she leaves him and leaves the deformed newborn with him.

First viewing the dinner scene when the mutated chicken was spewing out liquids didn't make sense to me. Industrialization proves to be the major hazard in this environment where the air looks intoxicating and chemical deformity seems to be is an everyday norm.

Most memorable scene:
Henry's alone with the mutated baby, and strange things occur.
and the end scene with the lady in the radiator singing.

Lady in the Radiator: In Heaven, everything is fine. In Heaven, everything is fine. You've got your good things. And I've got mine.

Surrealistic in his directing approach, Lynch delivers a haunting peephole into the feared repercussion Risk society .

Eraserhead reaching its initial audiences in the small Midnight Movies cinemas,scoring slow but steady viewers was created with tiny budget with Lynch working on the project on and off for several years.It's still relevant in its context and leaves the viewer wondering and asking questions.

Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003, R)

Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003, R)

Tarratino's golden film. Nulling the scene with animation/black & white whilst fight scenes shed too much blood for the audiences is clever.



Thurman is the vengeful bride back from the dead and she's looing for some justice. Fox displays some diversion from her usual comedic roles as 'Black Mumba', along with Lucy Lui who seems to be born to be in this movie.


Note: there is some references to Bruce Lee,with Thurmans yellow jumpsuit. Not much talking, but theres no need for that because the action speaks for itself.

[Rec] (2007, R)

[Rec] (2007, R)

Live action camera style allows the viewer to be immersed in the storyline and characters. A journalistic character as the protagonist distributes a sense of reality.

The pace is set completely from the(camera man) directors stance and allows the viewer to be included in the gruesome happenings in the film,with the basic footage of a hand held camera to allows them to take control of editing and with it the pace of blood saturated scenes without any warning .

The characters in the film are introduced as mere pawns for the events but are lacking in empathy or relativity.This was the only downside of the film. Aspects of this film which could be seen as appropriated from other media texts could be- Rubber Johnny- Aphex twin (near the end of the film) The descent using darkness as a fear tactic, 28 weeks later with the virus's astonishing similarity with 28 days later .

The film has already captured Hollywood with the release of 'Vaccination' which borrows a majority of the ideas and script to display a American film replica of REC.
Impressive direction Balaguero & Plaza to be a little if not immensely worried with the issue of trust of our government, scientists and our neighbors. I enjoyed the film because of the attention to viewers greatest fears, especially the climax of the film which allowed a somewhat realistic measures taken when dealing with a contagious viral infection and the government's action/inaction to to help citizens.

Population 436 (2006, R)

Population 436 (2006, R)

The cinematography is astonishing for this rough gem. It contains a predictable yet chilling experience for the viewer Set in a naturally majestic and blooming enviroment which enhances the juxtaposition of the thrilling components of the film, There is a sense of nostalgia in the characters and social setting. The acting is reasonable especially considering that Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst stars as a genuinely likable character.
Camera work/editing is similar to The Wicker Man starring Nicholas Cage. D grade actors, B grade film.

Salo (Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (1975, NC-17)

Salo (Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (1975, NC-17)

Set in World War II Italy, displaying the great abuse of 4 powerful dictators, hiring minions to abduct innocent civilians for120 days of gruesome debauchery A highly controversial movie,which never fails to disturb movie goers everywhere.

A sublime adaption of infamous17th century writer Marques De Sade's 120 Days of Sodom,which still goes beyond what this film should show legally.

Four parts: 30 days of each stage.

1)"Antechamber of Hell"

2)"Circle of Obsessions"

3)"Circle of Shit"

4)"Circle of Blood"

Illegal in most countries due to excessive use of nudity, sex, and violence.The direction has very clinical approach, with all the scenes set in observation POV.. A technique which created an almost overbearing honesty with the camera at everyone at all times.

Most memorable scene:

The scene with the men and women crawling up the stairs like dogs, are leaded to the dictators in leashes, and it is visually shocking due to the dehumanization.

The President: [while eating a meal of feces] Carlo, do this with your fingers.
[the President sticks two fingers in his mouth]
The President: And say, "I can't eat rice with my fingers like this."
Male Victim: [with fingers in his mouth] I can't eat rice.

The President: Then eat shit.

Illegal in most countries due to excessive use of nudity, sex, and violence.

The direction has very clinical approach, with all the scenes set in observation P.O.View. A technique which created an almost overbearing honesty was the setting in the palace with royal red, contrasting with the nakedness of the bodies.

The bleakness of the character's chances to escape from the torture bestowed upon them makes the film more powerful.

The Iron Giant (1999,PG)

The Iron Giant (1999,PG)

This tear jerking animation warmed my heart as the giant was introduced to the scene. There is a depth in emotional connection to the viewer and intertwines some themes of government policy & fear of the unknown. Made in 1999 ,the animation proves to be a fresh and diverts from the usual overdone children films.

Metaphorically 'The Iron Giant' can bring many lessons for audiences to wartime conflicts which is very relevant today. The story is heartwarming, produced in the mind of the great poet Ted Hughes 'The Iron Giant' story written in 1963 has been adapted to the scene brilliantly.

Anatomy 2 (2003) R

Anatomy 2 (2003)
Rated: R

Directed:Stefan Ruzowitzky
Released: December 31, 2003

Foreign Film:
Franka Potente and Herbert Knau star in this sequel to anatomy telling the rather adventurous underworld of the anti-Hippocrates. The scientific discoveries come with the ultimate price with the seedy doctors causing an alarm in the secret society.If your interested in medicine or technological advancement,with a love of suspense and gushing blood, this film is for you

Best aspect:
The conspiracy angle of the storyline, cinematography is cold and plays well into the feeling of the film.

Worst aspect:
The conclusion of the film is dry and unfulfillable